My original pantomime title Once Upon a Time in Pantoland has been a hit with directors, casts and audiences alike. It may be an unusual pantomime title, but it features all the hallmarks of a traditional pantomime: dames, comics, skin roles, comedy routines, a villain and a fairy. Plus plenty of jokes, musical numbers and local references!
However sometimes I get asked whether unusual titles like Treasure Island, Rapunzel, The Little Mermaid and The Wizard of Oz impact ticket sales at the box office. So I asked some recent producers of Once Upon a Time in Pantoland to see if their ticket sales were affected by the less recognisable title. Here’s what they replied:
“We have just performed the show with 7 performances in one week and sold a 97% of tickets including 5 sold-out performances. Therefore it is fair to say that the title did not affect ticket sales.
There may be a number of factors behind the high level of ticket sales. We have a very loyal following with accessible ticket prices. Also this performance was a 50th anniversary so was promoted as a special performance.
We have performed traditional titles and titles like Once Upon a Time in Pantoland where the story is likely to be unknown to audiences. We have found no difference in the demand for ticket sales in each scenario.”
Jonathan, Plumpton Pantomime Society
“We sold just as many tickets as any other year with traditional titles. I was a little concerned that sales were slow at the beginning but it all worked out fine in the end.”
Dom, The Old Bakehouse
“We had good audiences. Without wanting to appear arrogant It is The Aberdyfi Players that our audience come to see and the script is to a degree secondary. As you know we had to make some adjustments to fit our cast and venue. We were able to fly the “spirit” and create various other special, effects that enhanced the script.”
Des, Aberdyfi Players
“We got a few questions about the plot certainly but it didn’t affect sales, in fact we sold out all 3 performances. We usually do 2 performances, this was the first time we’d done 3 in over 10 years and the tickets were all snapped up!”
Steff, Heriot Players
After I sent this article to my email subscribers (which you can sign up here to join) I had a few further replies with reflections on unusual titles and how they affected sales.
“We did The Dragon of Wantley a few years ago – as we had a good following by then, we still sold out. Another was Space Wars – The Panto Strikes Back (you can guess what that was based on!). Still sold out but audience members said they struggled to understand the story as some hadn’t seen the films … I thought it was hilarious, but I’m a sci-fi nut.”
Nigel Bowen, The Buildwas Players
“We did Dick Whittington and noticed a slight drop in sales with this title. We followed that with Snow White (our best selling panto to date) but we’re venturing into the unknown again this year with Mother Goose. It’s interesting to see the pattern with sales and listening to the comments of our members and followers. Personally, I don’t think the title is massively important so long as we keep to the formula our regulars come to see and expect. The most common remark we get is along the lines of “don’t change anything but keep surprising us!” I love it, but how do you work with that!?”
Kevin Proctor, South Manchester Amateur Operatics Society
“We did Alice in Wonderland last year, it was a sell out and we won Best Panto in the Eastern Area for Noda, so i was beyond chuffed!”
Caroline Page, Leighton Buzzard Drama Group
If you’re still not sure about choosing an unusual title, see how well they go down with producers and audiences alike in my latest reviews:
- The Liskeard Lions Club on The Wizard of Oz“Great script, Alex gave his full support whenever we needed a question answered.”
- NODA on The Little Mermaid“The Little Mermaid pantomime is a lively take on the Disney classic.”
- Resonance Theatre Group on Treasure Island“I have used two of his scripts now, and they were both a delight to direct.”
- Dalton Amateur Dramatic Society on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“Our audiences loved it from beginning to end.”
- NODA on The Little Mermaid“Alex Jackson’s script was witty and family friendly.”
- NODA on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“A script by Alex Jackson, which worked very well.”
- Tollesbury Amateur Players on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“A modern, funny, barrel-of-laughs. Great script.”
- Kennington Amateur Dramatics on The Little Mermaid“Perfect for our group! A very funny script, and one we will hold close to our hearts.”
- The Leadenham Players on The Little Mermaid“The humour was great and level of innuendo perfect. The cast were still laughing right through to the final performance.”
- Liskeard Lions on The Wizard of Oz“Really punchy panto.”
- Tollesbury Amateur Players on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“We loved that it was modern and fast paced.”
- Rotherfield Players on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“The pantomime flowed so beautifully because of the quality.”
- NODA on The Little Mermaid“Alex Jackson’s pacy script created an entertaining evening’s performance full of audience participation.”
- Busselton Repertory Club on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“Hilarious script, fast paced, great mix of visual humour and jokes.”
- The Southern Reporter on The Wizard of Oz“There were lots of great laughs and interactive moments that the kids in the sold out audiences loved.”
- Pontypridd Theatre Company on The Little Mermaid“Slick, witty scenes and plenty of characters.”
- North East Scotland College on Treasure Island“The strong writing really encouraged confidence, audience interaction, and ensemble work”
- South Downs College on The Little Mermaid“It had a great flow and was very easy to follow and enjoy.”
- Fullhouse Drama Group on The Wizard of Oz“Great fun to produce. Perfect for a Christmas show. Had the audience in stitches.”
- VCL Productions on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“An amazing script to work with our young performers. The writing allowed us to be flexible creating extra characters.”
- Trevonne Stage School on The Wizard of Oz“Funny, witty and full of classic panto fun! Highly recommend.”
- The Wyrley Pretenders on The Little Mermaid“Summed up by audiences as the best and funniest pantomime to that they have seen”
- The Blyth Players on The Little Mermaid“The script is very funny and our audience loved it.”
- Classique School of Dance on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“Alex Jackson’s scripts are entertaining and fun to produce.”
- NODA on The Little Mermaid“Alex Jackson’s pacy script… an entertaining evening’s performance full of audience participation.”
- Potterne Panto Group on The Little Mermaid“Our audiences said that it was the best we’ve done (we’ve been going for 40 years). I will definitely use Alex’s scripts again.”
- NODA on The Wizard of Oz“He includes plenty of traditional panto comedy business within a two-hour running time.”
- NODA on The Little Mermaid“An absolute delight from start to finish!”
- NODA on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“There was everything to love about this show, and simply everything was spot on.”
- Cornwall Drama Association on The Little Mermaid“Alex Jackson’s clever script uses all the recognisable pantomime stock characters and elements.”
- NODA on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“I actually ached with laughter and was hoarse at the end with shouting and booing.”
- NODA on The Wizard of Oz“If you thought it wasn’t possible to convert this timeless motion picture into a pantomime – think again! “
- The Southern Reporter on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“As well as the usual pantomime comedy and one liners there’s plenty of practical jokes too.”
- NODA on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“A newer title that seems a very popular choice for groups to perform at the moment.”
- NODA on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“New and recognisable characters and everyone is along for a jolly romp with a splash of adventure.”
- The Buildwas Players on Treasure Island“Great characters, a great story and great jokes.”
- Thetford Players on The Little Mermaid“Alex has a fabulous writing voice that make his scripts both engaging and joyful.”
- Kennington Amateur Dramatics on The Wizard of Oz“The Wizard of Oz script was just awesome. The length, the scenes, jokes were spot on.”
- About Thetford on The Little Mermaid“The Little Mermaid, has definitely lived up to the town’s high expectations!”
- Shropshire Star on Treasure Island“A brilliant new script by the talented Alex Jackson.”
- Stane Street Players on The Little Mermaid“The panto was extremely well received.”
- The 64 Players on Rapunzel“An absolutely perfect script for our needs backed up by a wonderfully helpful scriptwriter.”
- Stamford Welland Academy Production Company on The Wizard of Oz“A brilliant script full of all the feels of a classic panto.”
- Colaiste Treasa School on The Wizard of Oz“Very entertaining and enjoyable show that had the audience gripped and laughing for the evening.”
- Whitkirk Arts Guild on The Wizard of Oz“Went down a storm with both the cast and audience!”
- The Hepworth Players on The Wizard of Oz“The best panto we have ever done.”
- The New Garrett Theatre on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“I rolled about laughing from first read through until the last performance. Absolutely cracking writing!”
- Gosforth Amateur Dramatic Society on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“Hands down one of the funniest scripts we’ve produced.”
- NODA on Once Upon a Time in Pantoland“A break from the traditional pantomime offering to bring a different and contemporary slant to the seasonal fun!”
- NODA on The Little Mermaid“a stage version with similar, loveable and recognisable characters without entering the realms of copyright”
